1. It brings meaning to life

 

God is a holy, good and loving God. He is One yet is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is the creator of all things and has made us in His image, both male and female. As such we each matter to God and are valuable in His eyes. God has placed us on earth for a reason – that we might know and glorify Him.

 

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:27

 

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” Colossians 1:16

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“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

 

We see evidence that God is Creator in the complex design of our bodies, in the order and fine-tuning of the natural world and in our consciousness of right and wrong. Further proof is found in the fulfilment of ancient Biblical prophecies  (e.g. Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Micah 5:2), and ultimately in the life and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

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2. It correctly diagnoses our problem

 

Mankind has turned away from God, and we all live selfish, sinful lives. We repeatedly break God’s perfect law by what we do, say and think. This rebellion against God is the root of the world’s difficulties. It is also our greatest problem. We stand condemned and each of us deserves God’s eternal judgment in hell for our sin. Left to ourselves we are helpless to stop sinning, or to restore our broken relationship with God. There is no price we can pay or religious rite we can do that will rid us of our guilt.

 

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

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"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” Isaiah 59:1-2

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“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

 

 

3. It is sufficient for all

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Although we are all guilty sinners, God still loves us and longs that we would be reconciled to Him. God entered this world in the person of Jesus Christ. He lived a sinless life among his rebellious creation, showing grace and compassion to all He met. He spoke God’s truth and ultimately was crucified on a cross outside Jerusalem. His death was no accident. On the cross the Lord Jesus Christ bore the punishment sin deserves. He took the place of guilty sinners to allow them to be forgiven and saved from the judgment they deserve.

 

By rising again three days later Jesus showed that God’ salvation was now available to all who would turn from their sin and trust Christ alone to save them. 

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

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“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18

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“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 

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“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Hebrew 10:12

 

 

4. It offers God’s salvation freely

 

The Bible is clear that forgiveness of sins and peace with God is offered as a free gift to all who will trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Baptism, good deeds, communion and church membership CANNOT take away our guilt. But all who repent of their sin and rely on Christ alone to save them will receive eternal life, regardless of their background or previous behaviour. 

 

“Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”” John 14:6

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“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9 

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“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 

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“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

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“Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37

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5. It transforms lives

 

When a person trusts the Lord Jesus for salvation they receive the Holy Spirit and eternal life. This brings true peace, joy and purpose to life. God’s Spirit breaks the power of sin in the believer’s life and enables them to please God and love their neighbour. They now want to obey the Lord Jesus who died for them and enjoy learning more about Him through reading the Bible and hearing it taught. The Bible is clear that believers should be baptised to publicly testify to the new life they have in Christ. 

 

Of course Christians still sin, often when we try to live in our own strength and wisdom. Christ calls his followers to rely on Him daily for victory over sin and for power to do what we should. God promises to forgive our sin if we confess it, and to gradually transform us to be like the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

“Jesus answered them, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. ... If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.’” John 8:34,36

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“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 

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“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” Romans 5:1-3 

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“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:15 

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25

 

 

6. It brings us into God's family

 

When God saves you, you become part of His family forever. God is now your Father, and you are His child. You also are a brother or sister to every other believer in the world. But God wants you to know this fellowship at a local level too. God expects all baptised believers to join a local assembly of Christians so that they might grow in their faith and be helped to serve their Lord. On a regular basis we should be gathering to break bread, pray, and hear God’s word taught. All we do must be in accordance to God’s Word.

 

The Bible teaches that God has gifted each church with many different spiritual gifts including elders who can shepherd his people, teachers, helpers, evangelists and servants. Every believer in the assembly has a role to play. God expects us all to be using the spiritual gift He has given us with love, patience and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23).

 

The New Testament teaches that male and females are of equal value. God has specified different yet complimentary ways for us to serve and honour our Lord. One way in which we do this is by men not covering their heads, and ladies covering their heads, while we gather. This symbolises that Christ alone is our Head.

 

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:41,42 

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“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ... And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7,11-13 

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“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder... Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly... being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:1-3 

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“And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26

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“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.” 1 Corinthians 11:3,4